The Ascendance Deceiver

Reasons

"Can I talk to you for a moment, Alayn?" Luverne approached Alayn a few minutes after Neo had entered the shop.

"Ah, yeah, sure. What's up Mr. Luverne?" Alayn responded, appearing surprised by Luverne's sudden approach. Serene, who was standing beside Luverne, gave a slight smile to Alayn.

"Just Luverne is fine. I appreciate that you've provided us with all the facts about the game, but what I'm truly interested in is your personal insight, Alayn," Luverne expressed, gracefully lowering himself to the floor and settling beside Alayn. Alayn, positioned against the wall opposite the golden door, took a brief pause to collect his thoughts before offering a response. Observing the interaction, Serene joined Luverne and took a seat next to him, eagerly awaiting Alayn's perspective.

"I've pondered that question many times myself," Alayn began, his gaze fixed on the intricate patterns on the floor. "I believe the gods created this game to test us, to push us to our limits and see how we navigate through challenges. Perhaps they seek to uncover the true essence of humanity, to observe how we adapt, overcome, and forge our own paths in the face of adversity."

He paused, glancing at Luverne and Serene, his expression thoughtful. "But there may be more to it than just a test. It could be a means for the gods to learn about themselves, to explore their own capabilities and limitations through the experiences of mortal players. After all, we are their conduits in this realm, and our actions, choices, and growth may offer them insights and lessons they can't obtain otherwise."

Alayn's voice carried a mix of curiosity and wonder as he shared his perspective. "Whatever the true purpose may be, I believe there's a deeper significance to our journey in this game. We have the chance to unravel mysteries, forge bonds, and unveil truths that could reshape not only our own lives but also the very fabric of this reality. Though in the end the main thing we all have to do here is surviving this."

Luverne and Serene exchanged a glance, a shared understanding passing between them. They recognized the weight of Alayn's words and the importance of their role in this enigmatic game.

"Thank you, Alayn," Luverne said, a sense of determination coloring his voice. "We'll face the challenges ahead and strive to uncover the truth behind this game, together."

With a nod of agreement, Serene added, "Yes, Brother Alayn. We're in this together, and we'll find our way through."

Alayn smiled, his eyes shining with a mix of gratitude and anticipation. "I'm glad to have you both as allies on this journey. Let's uncover the secrets this game holds and survive this."

As Alayn pondered Luverne's question, a sinister grin slowly crept across his face. Deep down, he knew the gods hadn't created the Kodoku game for any noble purpose, as he had previously claimed. The very name of the game, Kodoku, hinted at its true nature—a twisted concoction of chaos and manipulation.

Kodoku, derived from the Japanese term for cursed poison, involved pitting venomous creatures against one another in a battle for survival. Only the last survivor would be used to create the cursed poison, a potent symbol of the game's malevolent essence. Alayn had already deduced that the players were unwittingly partaking in a real-life rendition of this deadly ritual.

"Perhaps," Alayn mused silently, "the gods seek to identify the one with the ultimate authority. Yes, that must be their aim. But why? Why this sudden fascination with power?" His thoughts swirled with suspicion and curiosity. From the angel Viviana's tone, he sensed that this Kodoku game was a novel experiment for the gods—a macabre game they had yet to witness.

Alayn harbored a deep understanding of the game's inner workings, but he was no fool to divulge such knowledge so readily. He was acutely aware that his insights were a valuable commodity, one that could be used as leverage or sold for personal gain. He vowed to keep his understanding veiled, to bide his time and let others underestimate him.

In this twisted game of survival, Alayn was determined to navigate the treacherous waters, playing his cards close to his chest. He reveled in the prospect of others underestimating him, unaware of the depths of his cunning and strategic prowess. After all, he wasn't just a player in this game—he was also here to have some fun while he is at it.

"Well it's always a good thing to mix some truth when you are lying to someone"

After their conversation ended, the group waited in anticipation for Neo's return. Around twenty minutes later, a radiant golden light emanated from the majestic door, and Neo materialized before them, seemingly appearing out of thin air. Alayn observed the scene with a knowing smile, aware that Neo was about to execute their carefully orchestrated plan.

As Neo materialized, he made a deliberate show of searching for Alayn in the room. Catching Alayn's subtle nod, Neo's expression shifted to one of intense concentration, a well-practiced act. He quickly grabbed his head with one hand, taking a few steps back before leaning against the wall, his other hand supporting him. It was as if he was portraying a moment of overwhelming revelation or distress, perfectly executed to deceive the other players.

Alayn maintained his composed demeanor, concealing his satisfaction as he watched the scene unfold. He knew that Neo's performance was crucial to their strategy, a facade meant to manipulate the perceptions of the other players.

"Neo !" Approaching Neo Alayn screamed with a concerned voice, Alayn placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, maintaining the illusion of offering guidance and reassurance.

They exchanged a subtle glance, silently communicating their shared understanding of the charade.

"Are you alright? Here, sit down first," Alayn said with a concerned tone, extending his hand to assist Neo. Alayn guided Neo to a seated position on the floor, gently supporting him as he leaned against the wall. Alayn ensured that Neo was settled comfortably before taking a step back, maintaining an air of support and attentiveness.

Neo, still maintaining his act, appeared visibly shaken and overwhelmed, his breathing slightly labored. He leaned against the wall, allowing himself to be supported by it, while he continued to clutch his head as if in distress. Alayn stood nearby, ready to offer any necessary aid or reassurance.

The other players watched the scene unfold, their expressions ranging from concern to curiosity. Alayn's presence and assistance to Neo added to the authenticity of the act, making it more convincing to the onlookers. It was a carefully choreographed display, designed to elicit specific reactions.

As Alayn observed Neo's performance and the reactions of the other players, a small smile formed on his lips, hidden beneath his concerned facade. His mind buzzed with satisfaction, knowing that his carefully devised plan was unfolding as intended. He couldn't help but admire Neo's acting skills, impressed by how convincingly he portrayed distress and vulnerability.

"This guy is actually a really good actor, eh," Alayn thought to himself, his amusement evident in his inner monologue. He had anticipated the possibility of Neo struggling to execute the act, but he had prepared contingencies to ensure their plan remained intact. Alayn's confidence in his own foresight allowed him to enjoy the situation, knowing that he had accounted for any potential challenges.

"Is he alright?" the woman in the blue dress asked Alayn, her voice filled with genuine concern. Her eyes reflected her worry as she looked at Neo, still sitting against the wall.

The man in the two-piece suit stood beside the woman, his expression mirroring her concern. He waited for Alayn's response, eager for reassurance about Neo's well-being.

Aiden glanced at Neo, his eyes filled with disdain, as if he regarded him as nothing more than weak trash. His gaze held a mixture of arrogance and superiority, making his contempt for Neo evident.

Shifting his gaze from Neo to the man in his early thirties or late twenties to the women in her early or mid twenties to Mr. Luverne, Alayn adopted a tone of understanding as he addressed the situation at hand. "It seems that Neo is still acclimating to the concept of teleportation. I recall a similar reaction from him when we were transported to the auditorium. It takes him a few minutes to readjust, I believe," Alayn explained, aiming to clarify Neo's current state to Luverne and the others. "Mr. Luverne, I suggest you and Serene enter the shop now. It wouldn't be wise to keep Solarael waiting until Neo fully recovers. Who knows how much time it might take this time."

Concern etched on his face, Luverne turned to Neo and voiced his request. "Neo, could you please share the question you asked Solarael? That way, I can ensure my question doesn't overlap with yours," he said, his expression reflecting genuine concern.

Neo, still wearing a pained expression, nodded in response. "Yes, I apologize for causing you all worry. I asked Solarael how we can leave this game," he replied, his voice tinged with genuine distress.

Luverne's concerned expression softened as he attentively listened to Neo's response. He understood the importance of Neo's question and empathized with the unease caused by the teleportation experience.

"Don't apologize, Neo. It's completely understandable that you would want to know how to leave the game," Luverne reassured him, his voice warm and comforting. His genuine concern was mirrored in his comforting smile. "Your question is valid, and it wasn't your fault that you experienced discomfort from the teleportation."

We will enter the shop now. We can discuss the answer Neo received for his question once we return," Luverne declared, addressing the other five players gathered there.

"Alright," Alayn and the others nodded in agreement. As Luverne and Serene approached the door, they touched it simultaneously, disappearing into the golden, dazzling light.

"Success," Alayn whispered to himself, a sense of relief washing over him. By orchestrating Neo's act of nausea, Alayn had deftly diverted the party's attention away from questioning Neo about his credit balance and refraining from asking to inspect his ability card. It was a clever ploy that allowed Alayn to conceal this crucial information, ensuring that no one would probe further into Neo's credit score. Alayn planned to maintain this facade, ready to interject and divert any inquiries that might arise. He would simply mention that Neo had shown him the ability card during a moment of rest, revealing the 1000 credits he had acquired, should anyone attempt to delve into the matter. With this strategy in place, Alayn felt confident in safeguarding the secret for the time being.